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T O P I C R E V I E W

Robert Pearlman

NASA release

NASA Honors Apollo Astronaut Fred Haise with Moon Rock

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden will present astronaut Fred Haise, Jr., with NASA's Ambassador of Exploration Award during a ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 2, at the Gorenflo Elementary School in Biloxi, Miss. Haise will present the award, consisting of a moon rock encased in Lucite for display, to Paul Tisdale, superintendent of the Biloxi Public School System, and Tina Thompson, the school's principal. Haise attended Gorenflo.

NASA is giving the Ambassador of Exploration Award to the first generation of explorers in the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space programs for realizing America's goal of going to the moon. The moon rock is part of the 842 pounds of lunar samples collected during six Apollo expeditions from 1969 to 1972.

Haise was the lunar module pilot on Apollo 13 in 1970 and has logged 142 hours and 54 minutes in space. Apollo 13 was scheduled for a 10-day lunar mission, but the flight plan was modified because of a failure of the service module's cryogenic oxygen system. Haise and fellow crew members, James A. Lovell and John L. Swigert, working closely with NASA ground controllers in Houston, converted their lunar module Aquarius into an effective lifeboat. Their emergency activation and operation of lunar module systems conserved enough electrical power and water to assure their safety and survival in space and for their return to Earth.

Haise also was the backup lunar module pilot for the Apollo 8 and 11 missions, and backup spacecraft commander for the Apollo 16 mission. He was commander of one of two crews that piloted critical approach and landing test flights during the development of the space shuttle.

Haise was born in Biloxi, and received his bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Oklahoma in 1959.

NASA's Digital Learning Network, which allows students and teachers to connect with NASA through videoconferences and webcasts, will broadcast the event online Dec. 2 from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. EST.

Beginning Dec. 2, NASA Television will air a video file with highlights from Haise's mission.

A piece of moon rock will soon inspire students at a Biloxi school Fred Haise attended on his way to becoming an Apollo 13 astronaut.

"The rock is en route," Haise said, sent by certified mail from NASA to Gorenflo Elementary School Principal Tina Thompson.

It will arrive in East Biloxi in time for the Dec. 2 dedication of the moon rock to the school. During the same ceremony, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden will honor Haise with the Ambassador of Exploration Award.

...Gorenflo is also the site of the Biloxi Boys & Girls Club and has an Exploration Station and high-tech media equipment to encourage science education, said Haise. More technology has been added and security was beefed up at the school in advance of the moon rock's arrival to meet NASA's specifications.

"My space suit is already there. One of my training suits," Haise said. He also donated other artifacts and a 55-inch television for viewing DVDs about the space program. The system can hook up directly to Stennis Space Center and for special programs science teachers can bring students from other schools to participate, he said.

Robert Pearlman

Credit: NASA Digital Learning Network

Credit: NASA/Danny Nowlin

At a 1 p.m. ceremony on Dec 2, 2009, Administrator Charles Bolden presented NASA's Ambassador of Exploration Award to Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise, a Biloxi, Miss., native. The ceremony took place at Biloxi's Gorenflo Elementary School. Pictured from left to right are school principal Tina Thompson, Administrator Bolden, Fred Haise, Biloxi Public School District Superintendent Paul Tisdale and Stennis Space Center Director Gene Goldman.

gliderpilotuk

During the same ceremony, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden will honor Haise with the Ambassador of Exploration Award.

Richly deserved too. Congratulations Freddo.

Blackarrow

You beat me to it, Paul. It's good to see this unassuming hero getting the recognition he so thoroughly deserves.

StarDome

Yes, Fred is a really nice guy, a real lovely person to talk too. I feel privileged to have spent a couple of days with him.

PerryM

Fred is an example of the common guy making it. Talking to him is an honor. Greeting him I would say "How's it going Devildog?" he would get the biggest grin and his eyes would sparkle. Besides no one can argue with the Captain of the Enterprise.

lm5eagle

Much deserved by one of the nicest guys it is always a privilege to meet. Hope to see you again soon Freddo.

rjb1elec

His family must be so proud of him. I say this because when I first met Fred I was asking him about his Apollo 13 experiences, but we both ended up talking about our kids and grand kids. Thanks Fred and congratulations.

Rick Mulheirn

I have been fortunate to have met many astronauts over the years. I found Fred Haise to be the most modest and unassuming of them all. A real gent. Many congratulations Freddo.